Organisations

Question 1

What are the 4 categories of religious organisations?

Answer 1

1) Churches
2) Denominations
3) Sects
4) Cults

Question 2

What are chruches?

Answer 2

Largest of all christian organisations, examples include Catholicism or the Anglican Church

Question 3

Name 3 features of churches?

Answer 3

1) a large following with millions of members worldwide
2) social and political influence, 26 Archbishops in HoL
3) universalistic approach to membership

Question 4

What are denominations?

Answer 4

Also Christian organisations, but they have broken away from the Church. They have different interpretations of the Bible and how to worship. Popular denominations include Methodism and Pentacostlism

Question 5

Name 3 features of a denomination?

Answer 5

1) a large following, but not as big as a Church
2) no social or political influence
3) exclusive approach to membership

Question 6

What is a sect?

Answer 6

Smaller organisations that are strict and exclusive, for example Jehovah’s Witnesses

Question 7

Name 3 features of a sect?

Answer 7

1) smaller membership
2) extremely exclusive approach to membership
3) hostile and intolerant of wider society

Question 8

What is a cult?

Answer 8

The smallest and least organised of all religious organisations, cults are activities which are practiced by individuals for their own benefit. Examples of cults include, astrology (astronomy) and the practice of Yoga.

Question 9

Name 3 features of a cult?

Answer 9

1) no ‘real’ membership
2) no system of leadership, practiced by individuals
3) open approach to those who want to practice

Question 10

What does Wallis (1984) state about Churches and denominations?

Answer 10

Generally accepted by wider society, whereas sects and cults more likely to be seen as unacceptable

Question 11

What are 2 sociological definitions of sects and cults?

Answer 11

• Wallis’ typology of New Religious Movements

- catagories of cults

Question 12

According to Wallis (1984), how do sociologists define sects and cults?

Answer 12

Developed a ‘typology’ for what sects and cults ought to be like. He calls these ‘new religious movements’, these movements can be; sect like, cult like, or denomination like depending on their relationship with society

Question 13

According to Wallis (1984), what are the 3 types of ‘typology’ defining sects and cults?

Answer 13

-world rejecting
-world accommodating
world affirming

Question 14

According to Wallis (1984), what is the world rejecting New Religious Movement? (definition of sects and cults)

Answer 14

They have a hostile relationship with wider society. They expect their members to turn back on their ‘old lives’ and set new norms and values which are dictated by the organisation. They have a charismatic leader who develops a god complex over time. Therefore they expect their members to join a commune allowing them to live separate from society, usually highly conservative in character

Question 15

According to Wallis (1984), what NRM adopt the world rejecting typology? (definition of sects and cults)

Answer 15

The Peoples Temple

• Reverend Jim Jones became power hungry and persuaded people to commune to Guyana whereby he was able to exert complete influence.
• persuaded 900 of his followers to take their own live by poisoning themselves

Question 16

According to Wallis (1984), what is the world-accomodating New Religious Movement? (definition of sects and cults)

Answer 16

Very similar to denominations but have a smaller following. They have more mainstream religious values meaning they have a positive relationship with wider society. Although they do not accept mainstream values, they do not reject them allowing members to live a normal lifestyle

Question 17

According to Wallis (1984), what NRMs adopt the world accomodating typology? (definition of sects and cults)

Answer 17

neo-Pentacostalism

-a strand of Christianity which believes Gods spirit can enter them whilst praying

Question 18

According to Wallis (1984), what is the world-affirming New Religious Movement? (definition of sects and cults)

Answer 18

More cult like, they provide individuals with the tools that enable them to be successful in life. They are fully accepted in society, encouraging their followers to better themselves, and therefore society. They are entirely inclusive movements.

Question 19

According to Wallis (1984), what NRMs adopt the world affirming typology? (definition of sects and cults)

Answer 19

Scientology

• individual set it up in 1950s following experience in WW2.
• goal is to teach people how to remove traumatic crises from their memory and become more rational in their thinking.

Question 20

Evaluation of Willis’ typology to define sects and cults?

Answer 20

Does not make it clear whether organisations are classified on their teaching or their beliefs

Question 21

According to Stark and Bainbridge (1986), what are cults? (sect and cults definition)

Answer 21

Interested in the emergence of a cult-based activity in the 20th century. They often receive bad press, in reality they are loose knit organisations which place few demands on their followers. They are closely linked to New Age Movements in which they encourage people to embark on a journey of self discovery. They identify 3 types of cult;

Question 22

According to Stark and Bainbridge (1986), what are the 3 types of cults? (definition of sects and cults)

Answer 22

1) audience cult
2) client cults
3) cultic movements

Question 23

According to Stark and Bainbridge (1986), what are audience cults? (cult and sect definition)

Answer 23

Loosely organised and do not have any social involvement between members and practitioners. Members practice passively and privately. Examples include, astrology (horoscope)

Question 24

According to Stark and Bainbridge (1986), what are client cults? (cult and sect definition)

Answer 24

Where practitioners provide a service for its members. Client cults generally revolve around paying money for a service. Either on a one-to-one basis or in a group. Examples include yoga classes

Question 25

According to Stark and Bainbridge (1986), what are cultic movement? (cult and sect definition)

Answer 25

Very structured and organised, demand commitment so it is unlikely their members will practice any other form of religious practice. Tend to enable their followers to develop skills which makes them successful. Examples include Scientology

Question 26

Evaluation of Stark and Bainbridge’s view of the definition of cults?

Answer 26

Provide an overly simplistic view on the categories of cults